Outside Court, Leulua’iali’i said it is regrettable she had to take legal actions against Peseta because she has great respect for him.

“But he owes my law firm NZ$130,000 in fees,” she said.

“It is regrettable because I don’t dislike him as a person and I did do the best I could in the circumstances of his court cases.”

The New Zealand based lawyer said the costs arise from legal matters where she represented Peseta of Aldan Civil Engineering Construction Company Limited and Local Partners and Associates (L.P.A.) nonu company.

It was not possible to get a comment from Peseta.

When the Samoa Observer visited his office at Vaitele, a young man who identified himself as one of his sons said his father was in Savai’i for a meeting. He was not aware of his phone number.

Leulua’iali’i represented Peseta in the previous years on several lawsuits against former Cabinet Minister, La’auli Leuatea Polataivao, and others who were partners of the nonu company – including the Owner of Talamua Media, Apulu Lance Polu.